PASCO, Wash. - CBC Lady Hawks' Sabin Keo overcomes a near career ending knee injury to become one of the best defensive players in the NWAC.

Keo grew up in Woodinville with seven siblings, making it difficult for her parents to afford college for their children. Her father pushed everyone to pursue sports as an outlet to advance her education.

In March 2013, the Seattle Times selected Keo as an honorable mention for King County's 4A all-league girls basketball team. During that season she suffered a right knee injury and did not give it time to heal properly.

"I played soon after it happened," Keo said.

Keo earned a basketball scholarship at Evergreen College in 2014. She would unfortunately injure her knee again before the 2015-16 campaign leading to a season ending surgery to remove the damaged cartilage.

After watching Columbia Basin College play a game at Centraila College early 2016, former Lady Hawks head coach Daron Santo approached Keo to offer her a full-ride scholarship to CBC.

Keo wasted no time making her presence felt in the NWAC, earning the 2016-17 Defensive player of the year in the conference's eastern region.

Current Lady Hawks head coach Zack Wilde has seen Keo play since she was in 5th grade and always knew she was a hard worker.

"She was a gym rat when she was a little kid," Wilde said. "She just brings that extra energy and all that ability where everyone just steps up their game because Sabin is out there."

The Lady Hawks currently ride a seven game win streak, and Keo is excited to see the how the rest of the year plays out.

"The chemistry is building and I can't wait to start this season," Keo said.